Morgan Carter

The hot dog is right up there with a slice of pizza as one of NYC’s most iconic street foods. Traditionally served along the beach in Coney Island and from late-night street vendors to seekers of cheap eats, the humble frankfurter has increasingly been found on high-end menus across the city. It’s also been reimagined by chefs at Mexican restaurants and cocktail bars, where they add exciting ingredients to the traditional snack. Here in New York, you can find chili cheese dogs, Chicago dogs with spicy sport peppers and, of course, the classic New York dog you’re craving. Whether you’re looking to try the newest fad or want a taste of tradition, we’ve rounded up the 15 very best hot dogs in NYC.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC July 2025: We removed Feltman's and Huerta's as they have closed. We also removed Dickson's Farmstand Meats, Frankel's, Kings of Kobe Jongro Rice Hot Dog, Mile End Deli, Lilistar and Portrait Bar. We added Mortiz. 

Choosing a favorite restaurant in New York City is a joyful task with myriad possibilities depending on the occasion, mood and even the time of year. Your favorite dive, fine dining destination and neighborhood favorite might all occupy top spots on your personal best list in spite of their disparate qualities.  Our list of NYC’s 34 best restaurants is the same, spanning each of those categories and more to comprise a catalogue of all the places we wish we were at right now. They don’t have to be the newest or the most recently reviewed, just places that we’ve been to and want to return to again and again, and that we think that you will, too.  RECOMMENDED: NYC’s best bars right now July 2025: We did another overhaul of the best restaurants list, shaving it down from 50 to a cool 34. We added Sam Yoo’s subterranean steakhouse, NY Kimchi. We removed Astoria Seafood, Bo Ky, Com Tam Ninh Kieu, Crown Shy, Dhamaka, Dirt Candy, Hometown BBQ, Lillio, Los Mariscos, Los Tacos No. 1, Olmstead, Taverna Kyclades, Usha Foods, Rangoon and Rezdôra.  Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.

Every drink seems ideal when you're at the perfect bar. Your dive’s beer is frosty, rooftops send you soaring toward the clouds and cocktail destinations shake and stir myriad ingredients into ideally calibrated glassware—leaps above what you try to craft at home. The options are unending, the ice is nicer and you aren’t just drinking, you’re at the spot.  Whether you're dabbling in low-ABV libations, making your way through dedicated martini menus or collecting passwords for pseudo speakeasies, there is an ideal location for every taste, tolerance and occasion. Find them among the 50 best bars in NYC right now. Updated July 2025: We did another overhaul of the best bars list, shaving it down from 50 to a round 30. We removed BierWax, The Bronx Beer Hall, Brooklyn Brewery, The Campbell, Clemente Bar, Dante, Dutch Kills, Experimental Cocktail Club, Fraunces Tavern, The Honey Well, Julius, Marie’s Crisis Cafe, NR, Old Town Bar, Overstory, PDT, Pete’s Tavern, Russian Vodka Room, Saint Tuesday and Sunny’s. We added Bar Blondeau.   Time Out has instituted a sitewide policy change. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out how we review at Time Out. 

Finding the best hotel in NYC to stay at, whether on a trip here or a staycation, is paramount. Yes, you’ll likely be out and about and the hotel simply serves as a place to lay your head, but a good hotel can make or break your time in the city. New York prides itself on its hospitality and that is pretty clearly evidenced by its best hotels. Every kind of traveler can find their perfect holiday haven in this glorious city, from sleek boutique hotels in the city’s trendiest neighborhoods to opulent luxury stays near the top NYC attractions. You’ll even find some of the best spas and restaurants tucked inside their lobbies. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple or a local craving an inner-city staycation, these properties take the cake when it comes to hospitality and hotel perks. Cue room service. June 2025 update: We have completely revamped our list by visiting dozens of hotels across NYC, most recently, The Rockaway Hotel + Spa. So know that when you’re reading this list, you’re getting the most up-to-date information. 🇺🇸 Click here to view our full guide to the best things to do in NYC🏨 Discover the best cheap hotels in NYC🌉 Explore the coolest Airbnbs in Brooklyn💗 Book one of the best boutique hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities, and in-depth research to find you the bes

We love ice cream in any form—and every season. Though we’ll happily partake in a sweet cone even in the glacial New York winter, ice cream—like music festivals, park-set picnics and outdoor dining—is a joyful, delicious harbinger of warmer weather. Just try to be grumpy with a great big ice cream cone on a sunny day—it's physically impossible. New York City has an abundance of options for when you can’t catch the Mister Softee truck, from old-school scoops to newfangled soft serve. These are our favorite ice cream shops in NYC—including the classic, offbeat, unique and traditional frozen offerings this season. June 2025: We added Caffè Panna and Salt & Straw. We removed Il Laboratorio Gelato, Davey's Ice Cream, Sundaes and Cones and Soft Swerve. 

It's time to celebrate Juneteenth 2025! Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black Americans since the late 1800s, but in 2020, the holiday garnered renewed attention as Black Lives Matter demonstrators called (and still call) for meaningful policy changes following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers. NYC and New York recently made Juneteenth an official holiday, and it's now a federal holiday also.  When is Juneteenth? June 19 is on a Thursday this year. Some celebrations take place on the actual holiday, while others take place in the weeks before and after. What is Juneteenth and why is it celebrated? Juneteenth is the celebration and commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers brought news to Galveston, Texas that the war was over and enslaved people were free (this was two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.) The celebration was coined "Juneteenth" and became a time for praying and for gathering with family. It became massively celebrated in Texas decades later, with many of the formerly enslaved and their descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on this date, according to Juneteenth.com. How will Juneteenth be celebrated this year? The day has been celebrated more in Southern states with rodeos, fishing, barbecuing and baseball, with a focus on education and self-improvement. New York City has so many ways to celebrate this year. We'll be updating this list as e

The best brunch in NYC can be found every day of the week. Saturday brunch is the best time to gear up for the night ahead, Sundays are perfect for relaxing and a weekday brunch is a rarefied treat designated for ad hoc time off—we would know. We make brunch our business. It doesn’t matter so much when you do it, but where you do it. And whether you skew more toward the breakfast or lunch ends of the portmanteau’s spectrum, toward coffee or mimosas, these are the best brunch destinations in NYC.  RECOMMENDED: The best boozy brunches in NYC June 2025: This year, we did a massive overhaul of our brunch. We removed Ed’s Lobster Bar and Sidney’s Five as they have since closed. We also removed All & Sundry, Alma, Baar Baar, Bubby’s, Cookshop, Dago, Don Don, Ed’s Lobster Bar, Fairfax, Five Leaves, Freeman’s, The Fulton, Henry Public, Inga’s Bar, Jack’s Wife Freda, La Mercerie, Le Crocodile, Le Gratin, Milady, Peaches, Raoul’s, Stoaway, Tre and The Queensboro. We added Bar Mercer, Bunna Cafe, Miss Ada, Melba’s, Win Son Bakery and Ursula.  For more on our editorial policies and ethics, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out. Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

A New York summer is often a hot one, and prime outdoor dining season is sizzling, too. Throughout NYC, rooftop bars, restaurants with amazing views and lovely waterfront destinations are shining in their annual turn in the sun. The best outdoor setups at these all-day cafes, Michelin-starred stunners, cozy dives, neighborhood favorites and city newcomers all have picturesque settings to get your attention. And even after the season for outdoor dining in NYC has passed, you'll find great food and drinks to keep you coming back from now through next fall.      RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in NYC May 2025: This year, we did a massive overhaul of our outdoor dining list as various restaurants around town have closed or had to shutter their street eateries. We removed Gallow Green, Pinto Garden and Silver Apricot as they have since closed. We removed Pilot and Grand Banks (but don’t worry, you can find them under our boat bars list). We also removed Bandits, Bar Primi, Brooklyn Ice House, Broken Shaker, Cookshop, Dagon, Henry Public, June, Laudree Soho, Lilia, Maracuja, Milk and Roses, Nabila, Palma and Zaab Zaab. We added Baba on Withers, Cafe Mado, LaRina Pastificio & Vino, Sailor and Saishin. For more on our editorial policies and ethics, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

Like most New York City neighborhoods, Chelsea, on Manhattan’s west side between about Sixth and 11th Avenues and 14th and 34th Streets (though those boundaries are sometimes called into question!) has changed over the years in myriad ways. For one, restaurants come and go. But one thing is certain, Chelsea still has many excellent places to eat and drink. The next time you’re strolling the High Line or checking out art galleries in the famed nabe, check out Chelsea's best restaurants for a quality meal.  Updated May 2025: We added Cafe Chelsea, Hav & Mar and Zaab Zaab. We removed La Noxe, Miznon and Sid's Gold Request Room.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Chelsea, New York

I often get the question: What's your new favorite restaurant on the scene? And oftentimes, that question alone is enough to make my head spin. Not for lack of trying, but attempting to stay up-to-date with the rotating door of restaurants that make their debut, month after month after month, can be quite the endeavor. So, we've decided to collect some of the latest and greatest on this list of the best new restaurants in New York, for my peace of mind, and so that you, the reader, can get out there and try it yourself. And who knows, maybe a few of these might make it to our best restaurants list by the end of the year. May 2025: As of this month, the current list of the best new restaurants in NYC includes a kimchi tasting menu, an all-day cafe from a master of the baking scene and an Italian supper club that reopened for its second act. So get out there and eat!

The only places that offer even better views than New York City’s best waterfront restaurants are our water-top restaurants: yes, we're talking about those scenic boat bars and floating eateries that give off that breezy yachting lifestyle—but without the high price and pesky barnacles that stow away on an actual watercraft. Mostly only open seasonally, they’re peak spring and summer destinations with the warm-weather menus to match, all with a side of real-deal seafaring. So ahoy! New York's best boat bars will rise the tide for all your going-out plans this season.  RECOMMENDED: The 27 best outdoor bars in NYC Updated May 2025: We removed North River Lobster Company and La Barca as the company permanently closed in 2024. We also removed Pilot as the boat is currently undergoing renovations. 

Sure–celebrating Cinco de Mayo satisfies any South-of-the-Border craving, but why reserve the city’s best margaritas in NYC for just one day? It's always time for tequila, especially when shaken up with a hit of spice or swirled with sweet watermelon. Hit NYC’s best Mexican restaurants for some serious agave spirits, or down them alongside some of Gotham's best tacos. Fair warning, though: You're gonna want a pitcher.   RECOMMENDED: Full guide to cocktails in NYC Updated May 2025: We added Gueros Brooklyn, Fresco's Cantina, Oyamael and Superbueno. We removed the Black Ant as it closed, La Contenta, La Loncheria and Kokomo. 

Owen Han has made a name for himself for what he can slap and smash between two slices of bread. Dubbed Tiktok's "King of Sandwiches," Han posts his sandos of the day to his 4.3 million followers, even leveraging a book deal out of it all, releasing Stacked: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich last year. This month, the author and content creator is flying in from Los Angeles, bringing his stacked creations (and a little bit of booze) to Brooklyn.   On July 17, Han is taking over Brooklyn's Poppy's (48 Henry Street) bakery for one day only. In collaboration with The Cocktail Collection, Han has paired his signature sammies with their line-up of premium classic cocktails. Han's smoked salmon focaccia sandwich, paired with herby cream cheese and avocado, is designed to complement the Ketel One Cosmopolitan, while his BBQ Brisket Sliders, featuring smoked Gouda, pair well with the Bulleit Manhattan. If you'd rather a sweet fix, you can order Han's mini pecan hand pies with a whiskey caramel sauce for dipping and tack on the Crown Royal whiskey sour with black cherry for good measure.  And for all you budding content creators, Han will be onsite at the bakery from noon to 3pm, so you can snap a selfie with the sandwich king himself. The full pop-up will run from 11am to 4pm, so don't miss out.

While executive chefs often receive the limelight in the culinary media, cooking in a restaurant is a team effort—every role plays a part. The Lineup is here to shift the spotlight. Showcasing sous chefs and chef de cuisines from some of New York's buzziest revue, The Lineup brings together an array of culinary talents to run their own kitchens for one night only. Founded and hosted by renowned chef Elena Besser, the dinner series pops up Food52 offices in Brooklyn Navy Yard. There, chefs cook up a five-course meal with drinks that reflect their culinary story. Previous iterations have included talent from Chez Ma Tante, Sailor and Shukette. This season brings three new chefs to the table. Additionally, this month brings the first-ever Hawaiian menu to be served at the series. Check out the line-up for season 7 below: June 26: TJ Hoy, Gage & TollnerJuly 10: Kai Christensen, PennyJuly 17: Kelley Pittman, Leon’s Dinners are priced at $165 and include a welcome cocktail hour, a five-course meal and five carefully selected wines. Book this one-of-a-kind experience here. 

Gaining a following slinging suadero tacos at Greenpoint’s Taqueria Ramirez, Tania Apolinar and Giovanni Cervantes' second act in the East Village is all about the pig, the whole pig and nothing but the pig. We are talking lengua, ear, brain and snout aka the nose-to-tail dining you’ve been looking for. Unsure of where to start? Worry not, the glass partition spells out what cut is which, written in English and Spanish, so you can work your way through Wilbur at your leisure. The vibe: It is not uncommon to find a crowd of people outside the place, happily hunched over frisbee-like plates, mouths glossy with dribbles of pork fat. Scope out the line—there usually is one, often out the door. Once you cross the threshold of the entryway, you’ll be welcomed by a taqueria that looks a bit lived in with concrete elements, a mix of paint drums for sitting and walls painted avocado green. Beyond the ordering counter lies the small kitchen, where you can watch employees hack away at bits of shoulder, tongue, and ears while others stir vats, bubbling with pork lard and ostensibly, pork. If the weather isn’t agreeable to standing outside or near the garage window that opens to the street, bop around the corner for a small sitdown with metal tables, stools and napkin holders festooned with doodles of pigs. The food: All pork everything is the name of the game at Carnitas Ramirez. Alongside the glass partition that spells out the cuts, there is a mirror on the wall with the outline of th

Chef Noah Sandoval is one of Chicago’s brightest stars, earning a Michelin star at Senza with a gluten-free menu and two more at his West Loop tasting restaurant, Oriole. This year, the chef added another accolade to his repertoire: earning Best Chef: Great Lakes from the James Beard Foundation. Fresh off his win, chef Sandoval is heading to NYC this month to cook with a line-up of NYC all-stars. The reason for gathering? To celebrate the beauty and versatility of Thai rice. The Thai Trade Center presents the one-night-only event, Collab Dinner: Thai Rice - A Journey Beyond Borders, held at Platform by the James Beard Foundation. The evening brings together chef Sandoval alongside Max Wittawat of Bangkok Supper Club and Nate Limwong of Chalong. Together, the three will tour Thailand's humble grain, from kernels of jasmine rice to glutinous sticky rice, and transform it to their culinary liking. The night begins with passed appetizers, including green curry-infused crispy brown rice bites, or nam khao bites, and goi, a Thai beef tartare served on rice crackers. Dinner follows with three courses, including riceberry khao yum (riceberry with colossal crab meat, mung bean sprouts, chili, makrut lime and Thai herbs), sablefish with Thai brown rice amaze and garlic jasmine rice with two types of pork: pork cracklings and crispy pork jowl. What's on for dessert? Rice, of course, is the meal's main dish, followed by a black sticky rice cake with sweet potato ice cream. Bangkok Supp

It's easy enough to love Bar Blondeau—one glance at the panoramic views of Manhattan is enough to have us sat. But while some hotel bars may rest on this laurel alone, Bar Blondeau quietly proves that it is not like the rest. Executive chef and partner Aidan O’Neal—who runs Le Crocodile down below and Greenpoint's Chez Ma Tante—sends his orders up to the kitchen, churning out small plates of smoked trout blanketed with shiny pearls of roe and buttery scallops that swim in a lemony, zippy broth, that we would consider swimming in it if we could. But if you came here just to drink, well, we suppose, that's just as well. The whiskey-based Lucky 7 is a relatively crushable summer drink, with smoked pineapple, lemon and valencia orange, as is the frozen Piña Verde with a blend of rum and a vegetal undertone, thanks to a splash of finocchietto liqueur. If you make it to Sunset Hour at the bar (5-7pm), you can say farewell to the sun with $11 cocktails in hand. 

When Sam Yoo of Golden Diner took over his parents’ lease across from Rockefeller Center, he decided his next act would pay homage to them and their heritage. Inside the 6,500-square-foot space sits two concepts of his own making: Korean pub Golden Hof and Korean raw bar and steakhouse NY Kimchi. Compared to the lively drinking den up above, NY Kimchi acts as a calming sanctuary. Upon descending the stairs, the eye is immediately drawn to the massive rock wall that lines the back wall, with tufts of green and yellow moss sprouting from the edges and cracks. Successfully evoking the idea of a rock garden, the sound structure is softened with rows of bamboo and round paper lanterns that hang from the ceiling. And yet, among such Zen-like interiors, each table houses a fire.  With barbecues built right into wooden tables, incredibly friendly staff come around to converse, take your order and expertly cook your food right in front of you. Yes, of course, you can go for the 30-day, dry-aged porterhouse for $140, but Yoo has made it a point to keep affordability in mind, serving soy-marinated short rib priced at $44, while ssamjang-slicked lamb chops come in at $46. Served alongside are all manner of banchan—cubes of pickled radish, marinated cucumbers, and a round of potato salad, to name a few. You could easily eat like a purist, but the steaks do come with perilla-soy and kimchi-heavy dipping sauces, so we do recommend a quick dip. But before you go all in on steak, know that Yo

As our contributing writer Melissa Kravitz Hoffner says, “The best lesbian bars in NYC are, in fact, the only lesbian bars in NYC, as there are unfortunately not many remaining that identify as such.” Cubbyhole remains in the category and is great in its own regard. The friendly neighborhood dive in the West Village certainly keeps it colorful with a chaotically wonderful display of glittering disco balls, paper flowers, rainbow string lights and even a few pinatas that are strung up on the ceiling. But don’t crane your neck for too long—connect with others over cheap drinks and dance-heavy tunes that carry well into the early hours of the morning. As one of the few remaining lesbian hideaways in the city, this corner dive gets mighty packed on the weekends, especially when the weather grows warm. So arrive early or be prepared to line block for a chance to get in. 

There hasn't been a time that I've dipped down into lower levels of Sauced and it wasn't perennially packed with a pack of twenty and thirty-somethings commandeering corners and tables, swirling stubby glasses of red, white and orange. But this is for good reason—Sauced is the type of bar that welcomes any and all over good wine and good times. There are no menus here, all that is needed is a chat with the knowledgeable staff behind the handsome wooden bar. After sussing out your preferences of the day, the barkeep will pluck a few bottles from the bucket of ice before you, pouring a few tastes until you narrow on the glass that's just right. With the "hardest" part out of the way, the next is deciding whether to find a corner of the bar and attempt conversation over the tunes or wait until a group of good timers finally leave the patio for that coveted spot under the shade of the tree. The vibe: Every time, it feels like you found the cool kid party. Luckily, there is less stuffiness here compared to other wine bars around town. The bar staff is conversational and will help you weed through any potential wine woes. The food: While the early days of the bar had small plates for snacking, most of that has been 69'd. However, the bar happily welcomes pop-ups of all kind, just check their IG to see who is serving snacks along with sips. The drinks: Natty wines only. Join the club. Time Out tip: The closer you get to the evening times, the more packed it gets (same goes for the

For the past five years, Ilegal Mezcal has been supporting the LGBTQ+ community with its initiative, "celebratingYOU." In partnership with wayOUT, a national non-profit organization committed to empowering LGBTQ+ individuals, the cocktail campaign has raised critical funds for folks across the country, raising $80,000 since its inception in 2021. So, how can you help out this year? All you have to do is order a drink. In support of the campaign, four bars across Manhattan and Brooklyn are shaking up specialty mezcal cocktails from now until the end of June to benefit the cause. Harlemites can head to Angel of Harlem and cool off with the Mezcal Mule, while Upper East Siders can sip on the Cha Cha Chica at Tiki Chick, made with chipotle-infused Ilegal joven, pisco acholado, acidified tamarind nectar and a mango brandy spritz. If you are Brooklyn livin', the Arlo Williamsburg has the mezcal and ginger beer-based number, Oaxaca Sunset. But if you'd rather a round of golf while you give back, then reserve a spot at X-Golf Brooklyn and knock back the In Repo Fashion cocktail, made with Ilegal reposado, luxardo cherry juice, muddled orange and orange bitters. Cheers!

Where do queer people, community and soup all come together? Queer Soup Night, of course! The Brooklyn-born pop-up has been serving soup with a side of social justice since 2017, and now operates in 13 cities across the nation. To wrap up Pride month, the NYC-based chapter hosts an evening of music, food and fun.  For its fourth year in a row, Queer Soup Night heads to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on June 25 for Pride Night. Starting at 6pm, the evening event features activations for all to enjoy. Want to learn more about the grounds? Join plant influencer and author Christopher Griffin of Plant Kween on a tour of the Aquatic House and Tropical Pavilion. Looking for a bit of family fun? Grab a seat at Drag Story Hour NYC with the kiddos or head to the Plant Family Collection lawn for a family-friendly activity led by the Discover Garden team. If dancing is more your speed, New York's all-women orchestra, The Lulada Club, will turn the vibe with live salsa music and dancing well into the evening. But when you need a break from all that spinning, sustenance can be found courtesy of chef Surbhi Sahni of Tagmo. Served on a first-come, first-served basis, chef Sahni will provide free bites to keep you fueled. It all goes down at the Garden's Cherry Esplanade lawn. So bring a basket and a blanket and come celebrate! Tickets are free for members and $10 for non-members. Click here to get the access code for tickets. 

With a name that translates to “The Head of Gold," La Tête d’Or by Daniel Boulud is truly something to discover. The deep-red entryway with soft glowing amber fixtures leads you to the bar, a sultry corner of bronze mirrors and velvet armchairs. It all pours into the soaring, high-ceiling dining room with elements of dark woods, leather and plush banquettes and elegant bouquets that sit above them. The 120-seat dining room is framed by the open kitchen with its opulent hood that calls to the Art Deco era.  Seafaring adventurers can dip their toes in Scallop Crudo and Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, an import from his eponymous restaurant, Daniel. But naturally, the meat is the draw. Eleven steaks grace the menu, from Bavette to a 45-day aged Rib-Eye to Prime Rib Trolley that wheels right up to the table. Playing to Boulud’s love of American ice cream shops, desserts include swirls of soft-serve served with a plate of goodies—sprinkles, coca nibs and cranberry meringue kisses—to make your own sweet treat.

Nearly everything chef Sungchul Shim touches turns to gold. Or, in this case, Michelin gold, as Mari and Kochi have consistently ranked in the Guide (as well as achieving high marks on ours). He hopes his latest, Gui Steakhouse, will follow suit. Debuting in the Theater District in February of 2025, Gui Steakhouse feels like a classic steakhouse imbued with chef Shim's Korean heritage. The experience starts on the ground floor with Bar 92. With its oolong-infused and baijiu-based cocktail menu, the bar serves as its own standalone hang, pre- or post-theater, or an adequate middle ground if members of your party are running late. The host will shoot you up to the second floor via elevator once your entire party has arrived, and then, once the bell dings, the doors will open to a row of fridges that glow with steaks of various ages—signaling your arrival to the main event. The interior channels sophistication over stuffiness, pleasing the eye with curved blue-ish green leather banquettes, shoji screens and a soft glow of hovering globe lights. Found in touches around the main room and a fixture of the bar downstairs, the iridescent mother-of-pearl inlays sourced from Korea add an elegance to it all. If you happen to sit near the open kitchen, it's easy to catch the steady figure of chef Shim in the stark white light, hard at work.  Classic fixtures of the steakhouse experience remain here, be it oyster towers, caviar service and, naturally, steak. But unlike the others who sim

Earlier this spring, we said farewell to Leyenda, Ivy Mix and Julie Reiner’s bar in Cobble Hill. Lucky for us, an alum of the Pan-Latin bar is back, shaking up cantina-esque tipplers in Bed-Stuy.   Introducing a Mexico City-inspired cocktail bar and cantina to Bed-Stuy, Dolores (397 Tompkins Avenue) opened its doors on July 2. The new bar is a joint venture from husband-and-wife Cressida Greening and Emir Dupeyron, the duo behind the beloved Bed-Stuy eatery, Winona’s. Pulling on Dupeyron’s childhood growing up in Mexico City, the resulting bar channels cantinas found in the area mixed in with art from the 1930s and 1940s. Transforming the space—which previously held the dimly lit, cocktail lounge and queer bar, Oddly Enough—the bright green exterior now houses hand-carved tables, green velvet banquettes and a walnut and marble bar.  Photograph courtesy of Teddy Wolff| Interior of Dolores Channeling the rhythm of the city, albeit, in liquid form, the team tapped the surefire talent that is Leanne Favre. A renowned mixologist, Favre previously held the title of creative director at Cobble Hill’s Clover Club and worked as creative director and head bartender at the shuttered Leyenda. As partner and beverage director of Dolores, Favre is shaking up agave-forward cocktails, including tried and true cantina staples with Margaritas on draft and Palomas with just the right amount of carbonation. Creativity continues with the Mexican Espresso Martini, a riff on the classic Carajillo

The front cover of Chelsea’s latest bar menu reads as such, “A mixologist, a cocktologist (their words, not mine) and a barchitect walk into a bar.” So, what do you get? Something like Hello Hello.   On July 9, Hello Hello (151 W 26th Street) made its debut in Chelsea. Behind it, a trio of industry vets, Luis Hernandez, Brendan Bartley and Robert Nieves, who bring a combined talent that includes time at Bathtub Gin, the now-closed Seamstress in the Upper East Side and LIC’s listening lounge Record Room. But among the team's prestigious achievements, their joined mission is a simple one: make an industry hang that brings the vibes any time of day.  “We didn’t want to overcomplicate it,” says co-owner and food and beverage manager Luis Hernandez in a press release. “This is the kind of place we’d actually want to drink at. No gimmicks. Just good music, great drinks, and the right energy from day to night.” Photograph: Gonzalo Loayza| Hello Hello's interior houses tan leather couches, a DJ booth and a full distillery in the back In fact, you can say hello to Hello Hello at any time of day as the location operates as a cafe by day, and a self-billed dive bar at night. Mimicking a dreamy 70s lounge, the wood-paneled interior with its high top tables seem ready for a quiet work day or midday hang over freshly brewed Guava & Olive Oil Lattes and pastries sourced from Colson Patisserie. But as the evening slides into night, the red-lipped neon logo on the wall glows even brighter,

New York is well known for its various lounges and underground nooks to swill a good cocktail. But when it comes to beer, our city isn’t first on the list for its suds. That’s not to say there aren’t some amazing taprooms, beer halls and craft breweries to grab a cold one. According to the NYC Brewer’s Guild, there are 49 breweries across our five boroughs. In Staten Island, there are a treasured few, but Kills Boro Brewing Company is the only active brewery on the island.  RECOMMENDED: The best New York breweries, from NYC favorites to upstate havens Photograph courtesy of Kills Boro Brewing| The industrial-heavy brewery houses a beautiful wood-fired oven Founded in 2017, Kills Boro Brewing Company pays homage to its environs, as “Kills Boro” references the ocean current that surrounds the island, which were once called "kills" by Dutch settlers. Owners Vincent Lima and Sean Torres and partner Michael Caridi nod to them and the German migrants who founded several breweries in the borough, with a dedicated program of lagers and then some. Previously operating inside the Craft House in the Tompkinsville neighborhood of the island, the duo sought to expand, purchasing an industrial-style building in 2019. Almost six years in the making, their opus to all things craft is now open.  As of June 25, Kills Boro Brewing Company unveiled its state-of-the-art brewing facility and taproom at 814 Richmond Terrace. Found steps away from the North Shore waterfront, the brick-heavy taproo

It is no secret that some of New York’s pizza can be found in Bushwick. Since 2008, Roberta’s has dominated the 'za conversation for its crispy, Neapolitan-like pizzas and Italian-ish leanings. In fact, Neapolitan style has taken hold of the neighborhood, as Ops, another treasured favorite of the area, is beloved for its sourdough-based pies (so much so, that they recently opened another location). And coming soon, the Brooklyn nabe is set to welcome another pizzeria this month—but this time, the pizza is everything Detroit.  RECOMMENDED: The 29 best pizza places in NYC for simple slices and elaborate whole pies Opening on Thursday, July 10, Turbo Pizza is a joint effort from brothers Max and Spencer Nelson and longtime friend Jordan Dubey, bringing wings, booze and Detroit-style pizza to the neighborhood (at 1540 Dekalb Ave, to be exact). Leaning on what they know—the threesome owns the dive bar, 101 Wilson, also in Bushwick—their pizzeria is divey in nature, with checkered floors, wood paneling and a red-wrapped pool table with a vintage Budweiser sign hanging above it. Alongside a few high tops and chairs at the bar, the booths found near the rear of the space will likely be "the" place to sit as the back wall is lined with glow-in-the-dark zodiac posters that look straight out of the backroom at Spencer’s. Photograph: Anna Ataman| Back booths at Turbo Pizza with UV-lit posters Bringing over 13 years of experience manning wood-fired ovens at Roberta’s and most recently a

When it comes to asking a New Yorker what the best pizza in New York City is, it isn’t so much a question as it is a challenge. Put 10 of us in a room and tell us we can’t leave until we unilaterally decide on the best slice in the city: we might have to hunker down for days if not months. But when I think about the best pie in the city, I always go back to the basics. Cut the mac-and-cheese-topped-that and the meat-lovers-this, and riddle me this: how good is your slice of cheese? Does the crust have that crispy texture but can still stand up to a fold? Is there flavor to the sauce? The cheese... does it melt and pull or is it all rubber? If the base of the house is good then, yes, by all means, build.  Which is why when I was asked what the best pizza in New York City is, my mind immediately went to the best slice over everything (this is New York, after all). And for me, this slice of cheese rose above the rest. Time Out just announced its list of the best pizzas in the world. For New York, Scarr’s Pizza topped the list. Nabbing the number two spot on the global list, this Lower East Side pizzeria reached the top ranking because it gives justice to the original.  “Every day, owner Scarr Pimentel is found in the basement of his Lower East Side pizzeria, milling grain for his base dough,” reads the article. “The result is an airy, slightly tangy crust that can hold up to toppings yet is pliable enough to be folded for a slice on the go.” And, yes, if you want a slice with t

Back in 2016, Michael Fadem, Gavin Compton and Marie Tribouilloy looked at an old garage in Bushwick and saw an opportunity. After much sprucing, they named it Ops, introducing it as a wine bar for the neighborhood. Yet, Fadem’s passion for all things pizza, specifically his perfected tangy and airy sourdough base, was strong enough to gain a following and flip the business model on its head. However, its wine program remained strong, so much so that it received a semifinalist designation from the James Beard Foundation. Ten-plus years later, the same team is doing it all again, this time in Manhattan. RECOMMENDED: The 13 best Bushwick restaurants On June 30, Ops opened its doors to the East Village. Notably bigger than the original, the 60-seat pizzeria is still just as charming with white-washed brick walls and wooden booths and nooks, similar to its sister space. New features include a metal, L-shaped bar and floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the street and its streetside dining area with 20 more seats.  Photograph: Heather Willensky| Hawaiian pizza Several of Ops greatest hits have made their way to Manhattan, notably the Rojo pizza with its blanket of mortadella and the all-day onion party that is the Cicero pie. However, with a wood-fired oven left over from the previous tenant and the addition of an electric Pizza Master at his disposal, Fadem has clearly taken the time to experiment. Still staying true to his sourdough base, Fadem leaned on his St. Louis roots t

If you were a '90s kid who grew up in America like I was, it's highly likely that you too fought your parents for the remote to catch SNICK or Saturday Night Nickelodeon. A golden era of programming for kids and pre-teens, the two-hour block was filled with hit after hit, from the sarcastic and funny Melissa Hart in Clarissa Explains It All, to the semi-legit scary tales of Are You Afraid of the Dark? But a favorite in my house? The pint-sized version of Saturday Night Live but for kids: All That. Breakout stars of the show, Ken Thompson and Kel Mitchell received a spin-off sitcom of their own in 1996, Ken & Kel, following up with the movie, Good Burger, inspired by their skit on the sketch comedy show. And this summer, one of the beloved actors will be heading to NYC this Labor Day weekend, bringing us together for all the nostalgic feels and tons of burgers.  RECOMMENDED: The 17 best burgers in NYC right now On Saturday, August 30, Kel Mitchell is bringing his first-ever Kel’s Burger Fest to Brooklyn. Teaming up with Bucket Listers, the one-day fest held at Williamsburg's BK Backyard Bar will bring music, games and some of the best burgers from across the country, New York included. While the burger lineup has yet to be officially announced, the all-out extravaganza will feature over-the-top creations, smashburgers and even a few vegan patties thrown in the mix.  "This is more than a food festival—it’s a full-on burger bonanza,” said Mitchell in a press release. “We’re bri

Chef Dhanapol "Oak" Marprasert has had quite the culinary history. Born in Washington D.C., chef Marprasert moved to the Samsen neighborhood of Bangkok as a child. Growing up around the historical transit hub with its swirl of street eateries, Marprasert developed an interest in Thai cuisine. But it was his mother who instilled a passion to push it further.  "My passion for cooking started by watching my mother,” said Marprasert. “Growing up, I saw how she used food to bring our family together and care for everyone.”  RECOMMENDED: The 18 best Thai restaurants in New York City He formerly attended culinary school in Bangkok, eventually making his way to the States in 2014. Landing in Tennessee, he found a job at a Thai restaurant as a pot washer, working his way up to the kitchen where he began cooking traditional Thai cuisine. Along the way, he also gained a new love: barbecue. Drawn in by the “smoky aroma” and “the unique cooking process” found in the Tennessee scene, Marprasert entered his first barbecue competition.  Photography courtesy of Samsaen| Grilled River Prawn Pad Cha Ready to bring his cuisine to a global stage, he moved to New York and opened the affordable Thai eatery, Makin, in 2020, following up the contemporary Thai restaurant, Kam Rai Thai, in 2023. His love of BBQ followed, participating in Brisket King NYC. He even clinched the number three spot at the National BBQ Festival this year for his slow-roasted BBQ pork belly. His latest restaurant seemingly

Five years and one pandemic later, Ann Redding and Matt Danzer’s Thai-inspired diner—aptly named Thai Diner—continues to thrive. Most days, the street corner on Kenmare and Mott Streets spots a steady crowd, with diners vying for brunches of Thai tea French toast and disco fries. RECOMMENDED: The 18 best Thai restaurants in NYC for curries, skewers and more But that’s not to say that the husband-and-wife team hasn’t experienced the ups and downs of owning a restaurant in NYC: After running one of the most acclaimed Thai restaurants in the city for seven years running, Uncle Boons became a pandemic casualty, closing in 2020. The spirit of Boons—one of creative Thai cooking paired with all-American comfort—stayed alive, though, through their follow-up restaurant, Uncle Boons Sister, a casual, dine-in locale that not only helped with overflow but became its own hub for curry dishes and laab. But after transitioning to takeout and delivery only, the restaurant also shuttered its doors in 2020. All these years later, however, it seems as though Redding and Danzer have retained the keys to that very front door, as the couple is reportedly dropping a brand-new concept in the old storefront.  Come this summer, Mommy Pai’s will open in the 203 Mott Street location. As reported by Eater NY, the new takeout-only spot will be a “Thai chicken fingers and tropical fruit drinks concept,” according to a spokesperson of the restaurant. It seems as though the restaurant idea has quietly been i

The weather isn’t our favorite pastime to talk about, but we can’t help but notice that it is seriously scorching outside. Last Friday marked the first day of the summer season, and boy, she certainly came out of the gate screaming hot, greeting us with 100-degree temps that even broke a 140-year-old record heat. But once again, I don’t need to tell you that it is hot—the bead running down your back already has. However, I can tell you that this summertime deal in Dumbo is here to cool you off when high temps rear their ugly head.  RECOMMENDED: Fun ways to stay cool during NYC’s heat wave this week All summer long, Time Out Market is offering a deal to chill you out. When the weather hits 90 degrees or above, the market hall offers discounted deals on its frozen drink menu, priced from $10-12. Available on both floors including the fifth-floor rooftop, this boozy good deal is guaranteed to keep you cool all summer long.   Photograph courtesy of Time Out| Frozen cocktails Ice cream lovers will love the Boozy Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream Float ($12). Made with Stoli vanilla vodka, a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, Fanta soda and a swirl of whipped cream, this grown-up twist on a childhood favorite blends creamy indulgence with a splash of spirits. If your idea of summer revolves around having a glass of rose in hand, then Peach Frosé ($10) is for you. Made with Juliette Heirloom Peach liqueur, rosé and a blend of fresh strawberry purée, this frozen keeps things light and fru

We know that we are preaching to the choir here, but it bears repeating: it is hot AF outside. Sure, only a few months ago we collectively threw our hands up to the gray skies, wishing for warmer days. But this? Two showers a day, hot? A transportation system that doubles as a sauna, hot? Tying a 140-year-old heat record, hot? It’s a no for me dawg.  But seeing as how complaining alone can’t lower the temp in the air (or else, there would be a winter freeze by now), New York City is offering ways to keep cool, activating citywide cooling centers and reopening 60 plus outdoor public pools come this Friday. But the best way we know how to cool off? Ice cream. Yes, the combo of dairy, cream and sugar by the scoop, sundae and the pint is just the cure even the hottest of heads. Just in time for this heatwave, we recently updated our list of best ice cream shops in NYC. And this year, an Italian-inspired spot was crowned the number one spot.   Photograph: Liz Clayman| The seasonal Sungold Sundae Caffè Panna made our number one top spot for all things swirled and scooped in 2025. Hallie Meyer is the owner behind the shop, powered by a lifelong love for all things ice cream. And we aren't just saying that—Meyer's love for cream and sugar goes deep, like a five-month residency working in gelaterias across Rome, deep. Cleary inspired by the silky scoops she found abroad, she returned stateside, scooping ice cream in the South Bronx before opening a brick-and-mortar in Gramercy in 20

Summer is officially here, so you have little excuse not to get outside and experience New York’s best in food and drink. But, as we all know, not all of the city's best cuisines can be confined to just four walls. Rather, some of the finest can be found right outside, popping up in wine bars, cooking under the Brooklyn Bridge and steadily parked on street corners. Heck, the buzz generated from these outdoor cook-offs has led to real-deal operations, from Anthony Ha and Sadie Mae Burns's roving Vietnamese snack operation turned LES wine bar Ha’s Snack Bar, to Jorge Aguilar's breakfast taco operation Border Town, which is heading to Greenpoint later this year.  With all that said, we think it's best to become a loyal follower now so you can say “you knew them when.” And while we don't mind crisscrossing the city to see what’s up-and-coming, for those of you who’d like to save a little coin on the train, a FiDi restaurant will be hosting several foodie pop-ups under its roof all summer. Even better? Superstar chef Marcus Samuelsson is hosting.  This summer, Samuelsson and executive chef Sherry Cardoso of Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson are celebrating the season with their first-ever "Subway Series." Kicking off this month until August 27, the summertime pop-up series is giving BIPOC chefs without a physical restaurant space a chance to showcase their fare on a larger stage. Six chefs from around the way will be taking over the restaurant’s outdoor terrace, introducing the like